You Will Never Look at College Football the Same

[@AccidentallyDecent]

Best sports channel on YT, quality is unbeatable, every upload feels like a documentary

[@Ty91681]

Because they are documentaries lol

[@justaman54]

It's also one of the few sports channels where you actually learn something new and interesting.

[@Michael-eu4pf]

The glazing is crazy

[@justaman54]

@@Michael-eu4pf You insecure mf's can't even compliment people

[@greenlukesky4615]

Similar to jxmmy’s nba videos

[@los31388]

How ironically true is this that UM had it worst team/season in recent memory and yet beating OSU felt like a real badge for fans.

[@commanderlorian]

RIGGED AF

[@DevoLevo113]

@@commanderlorianmad😂

[@huntertrum3658]

I completely understand how they feel as a LSU fan. After having arguably the best season ever, the downfall in 2020 was brutal. But when all hope seemed lost, the Tigers managed to upset Florida, all thanks to a shoe toss. That win completely redeemed the entire season for us.

[@CertifiedClapaholic]

Nah, we're about to turn around and drop even more money on a roster than Ohio State, and I freaking love every bit of it. Ot is a true meritocracy now. Michigan has an advantage and it has earned that advantage by preparing its students better than any other public university on Earth, by producing so many billionaires and millionaires, that their only company is Ivy League schools and a few private schools. It's going to be glorious 😊

[@josephippolito3788]

@@huntertrum3658 Thanks for resurfacing that trauma for me. The most promising season since 2012 down the drain because of stupidity. Marco Wilson could literally cure cancer and I'd still hate him.

[@javigar133]

As a European, I finally grasp why Americana are so crazy about theie college sports. This Channel is brilliant

[@squintohighlights]

As an American I will clear things up. There are divisions within college sports (d1 d2 d3 juco njaa, etc). The only division that is popular is d1. The best of the best (less than 1%) of athletes get these offers. Majority of college athletes play lower divisions (not watched). Football started at the college level. For us, it is pretty much another league of professionals. The level of athleticism you need to have for division one sports is Olympic level. I would compare it to the World Cup (nfl) and college being the local leagues (arsenal, Madrid, etc).

[@ericwalters3426]

Much respect to you, maybe one day i will understand your love of your futbol.

[@Multifidi20]

The jump in athleticism from the average high school player to the average D1 player is insane. Much bigger jump than the average D1 player to average NFL player. The average HS player would get seriously hurt trying out for UW. But the average D1 player could do ok in an NFL tryout. This is one aspect that make D1 college football fun to watch.

[@mikesmith2057]

The more interesting question isn't why college sports are popular -- they're local and tribal just like any european football league. The real question (for me) is why 20 million people will watch a random NFL game when they know the teams will up and move whenever they get a better deal. (And don't go giving me the argument that the Raiders are the best players in the world, cause that hasn't been true for 50 years 😂 )

[@Astro-zm3ef]

I think the only thing left out of the pride of the sport is the fact that it comes from a college. College football has so much pride because students have pride, and it ultimately never leaves them. With exceptions to state fanbases (*cough cough every alabama fan*), most people have big connections to these schools, and as such have more pride in when they win these historical rivalries and games as opposed to their millionaire professional counterparts winning a meaningless game on sunday. Even if you do not watch the sport at all, I recommend watching some recaps of this past weekend of college football. It was colloquially known as rivalry week, as the last week of every season, the biggest rivalry games happen. Many teams that won away games planted flags in their opponents stadiums because of long brewed hatred for the guys on the other side. Theres a ton of spirit in the sport that money doesn't cover

[@12thMandalorian]

Honestly your content is outstanding, each video is carefully put together, the editing is like a blockbuster TV show, truly one of the best sports youtubers on the platform

[@Goobster-f7j]

Good username

[@Ty91681]

@@12thMandalorian honestly he's one of the best KZbinrs in any genre I've come across

[@dylanjwagner]

Dude makes basic grammatical mistakes every single time. Secret Base has him trounced.

[@Klako-ls6yt]

Unfortunately, this is a wider trend we're seeing, not just in sports like college football, but across many facets of life. Many leaders, in business, sports, politics, etc., are taking the approach of maximizing short term gains, knowing that paying the pied piper later will be someone else's problem. The heads of college football now are not the ones who will deal with the long-term ramifications of the decisions made today. The commissioners and athletic directors who are making these decisions today will make their money, retire, and whoever comes next will be the ones to have to deal with the fallout.

[@calvinhobbes6118]

America is being ransacked by the globalist elites. Even foreigner's are allowed to come and and drain us of our dwindling resources.

[@poopshoes7579]

And who did it? Might it be the same who advocate gay stuff and transgenderism…and normies wonder why the uncles style is rising

[@nmelkhunter1]

Very, very well said. In a word, GREED.

[@rando8682]

College football is a reflection of society. Wealth inequality will continue to increase until there is no middle class. The environment will continue to get destroyed until there is no more to destroy. The greater good will take a backseat to personal gain and greed.

[@nmelkhunter1]

@@rando8682 Unfortunately, you’re right.

[@GreenhornPhototaker]

Treasure this time everyone, Micheal is too good to stay on KZbin for a great length of time

[@hunterwagner4130]

Facts

[@cliptomaniac2562]

Facts.

[@Cooe.]

Learn how to spell "Michael" lol. 🤷

[@beyseckeralexandre2402]

Just like Jon Bois, now you have to pay

[@KkWtdt]

@@Cooe.shut up u grammar cop loser

[@dub47usmc]

You have nailed it. We love CFB not for the professional level of play in a march toward the post season, but for the chaotic, frenzied minefield that is navigating your team’s yearly schedule. The bragging rights, the traditions, the rivalries, the UPSETS. A super league is just a minor league NFL product. I hope we see a return to form in some manner, some day.

[@patrickunger7087]

You essentially went into my brain and made a video about my exact thoughts on college football.

[@270eman]

The SEC and BIG10 already hold massive tv contracts. They don't need a super league. Greg Sanky the sec commissioner and the big 10 commissioner are against private equity and the super league idea. They already said its not happening. So idk what this dude is on about.

[@garygrassler09]

Started to well up when you talked about college gameday, fell in love with college football in 2002 when I was in 7th grade. I was always a Michigan fan but when I stumbled upon college gameday one morning and realized how vast the college football world was, I was hooked! It was like a sensory overload.

[@Mdksupreme1]

You and everyone who supports college teams passionate are clowns, imagine giving all that support to random exploitative colleges that wouldn't care less about y'all if you didn't give them all that money, you are lame asl

[@ballah1937]

This is probably the best video on college football I’ve ever seen. As a fan of a “have-not” school as well, I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had with fans of the “Haves” who just don’t see the landscape of college football like I do. I feel like you presented our side of the story in a way that can show every fan of college football that the current path of the sport is undoubtably a terrible direction to take it. I wanted to throw up at the thought of you wearing an Oregon jersey, and I have no affiliation to those schools or really anything west of the Rockies. That’s what makes CFB special.

[@eotrizzle]

WSU 2020 grad here, Pullman at the time was special because we had nowhere to go and nothing to do but hang out with each other as a community. Any CFS you could walk up to anyone or any tailgate and we were all friends it was unreal. It was the quintessential college experience, so much fun we weren't the best but we partied harder and had more fun than anyone and I'll die on that hill. Moves like this will get rid of all of that just for MONEY, no spirit no regional rivalries that matter anymore :( GO COOOOOOUUUUUGSSSSSSSS 4EVER

[@michaelmackelvie]

It's a special place

[@almostmachines6414]

WSU 2000 grad here. Yep! Go Cougs!

[@kenglover2690]

@@michaelmackelvie There are a lot of special places around the country. For me, Manhattan, Kansas is the most special (Kansas State Univ. 1970)

[@hitemhines8650]

Pac 2 champions!

[@SJohnson27]

Go Cougs! 2023 Grad

[@rando8682]

Absolutely Brilliant! A masterpiece. Not gonna lie, I cried a little. College football no longer means anything to me - they sold the spirit and meaning of it to ESPN. Much like society writ large, community and the greater good has been pushed aside for greed and personal gain.

[@recnepse7498]

Another issue in terms of conference alignment is that schools have sports other than football. Sure, the hockey team makes orders of magnitude less money than the football program, but they also play way more games in a year and travelling across the country for in conference games is not very feasible

[@jakestakes9075]

100%. I think it’s insane we’re doing conference realignment for all sports when all of the $$$ is in college football. At this point college football needs to be its own separate entity compared to the other sports that stay true to their regions. Idk how you’d make that work but it’s the only way the current landscape is sustainable

[@arevolvingdoor3836]

Yeah, I guess that's one of the arguments that could be made to convince colleges to switch to a more regional model like was suggested in the video. The only real stumbling block I could see in the realignment is that big basketball only schools, and schools that actually make money from baseball, might make a fuss out of getting left out of conferences due to not having a football program. I think the video suggestion is great, but a potential benefit of a "tiered" system could also be the ability to "relegate" the worst teams into the group of four and having the conference champions of the group of four move up. (Just to plagiarize european football leagues and make things even more interesting.)

[@CertifiedClapaholic]

​@jakestakes9075 wrong.

[@Nick1994H]

Bro came outta nowhere dropping the highest quality sports content on KZbin. Keep it up cause you're on your way to some subscribers

[@johnwhitaker4293]

College football is not the same without the rivalries it’s created. For example I made gagging noises when seeing Pullman and the ducks jersey as a UW fan. I don’t do that for the 49ers or Rams, not for the Golden Knights or Avs, not for the Astros or Angels. Only for Wazzu and Oregon.

[@randolphesquivel3872]

I just wanna say the fact that you added HBCU band music was amazing

[@samfulton435]

I’m graduating WSU this spring and I have loved every second of this place. I’m also from Oregon and didn’t know a lot of people out here, but this community is so strong and supportive it will always have a place in my heart. The realignment in my opinion ruined a lot of college football but I always know cougs will find a way no matter what! I loved this video and wanted to say Go Cougs!

[@icrashout]

What an amazing video, this channel is so underrated

[@kdog2646]

Your channel amazes me. The stats people don't think to look at, the quality, and the way you look at it.

[@volt734]

The production value this channel has is crazy, especially at the upload pace. I only really watch basketball but just because of how good the videos are I end up watching them on all topics like this one about College Football

[@Quince477]

THIS... Is a great video as always. As someone who doesn't watch college bc I want to see the best of the best, you gave me a new perspective on watching college which is community. As someone attending Clemson now my friends are always in tune with the football games, while I don't pay attention to it. But whenever we meet back up I always ask them about how we did and you can tell they're really passionate about it. Losing those moments and countless others due to money grabbing could definitely hurt college football in the long run, at least, that's your argument and you have a solid basis for it. Anyways, great video man. Hopefully they realize their error when the time comes. Edit: I don't watch the NFL. I have a comment below generalizing this topic.

[@chadburke852]

NFL is trash. The parity of skill, resources and prep make it unbelievably boring.

[@Logholders]

Yea the NFL is manufactured at this point. Everything is the same. Boring sport.

[@anythingthoughanythingthou2453]

NFL sucks

[@Quince477]

I don't watch the NFL, but I'd see why y'all would think that considering we're talking about football. I like to try to analyze the game while watching live and the way the NFL camera is set up you mostly see the quarterback the whole time until the ball is spiked, but I would love to see more of the field and all of the wide receivers, middle linebackers, etc. instead of mostly the pocket. I haven't watched the NFL or highlights in years, so if this has changed or there is some way to see more of the field let me know. I was more talking about in general with any competitive scene in my original comment. I really like watching the NBA and WNBA now and ik that the game rn is mostly 3 pointers, but there is still strategy around the game that I like to analyze or watch videos that analyze it. That's just one example.

[@mxsoo_]

I have never seen so much effort and professionalism put into a video from a channel with under 200k subscribers. Please keep makign videos, this is amazing bro

[@KJ.022]

22:41 Notre Dame winning the Big Ten and Big East title in the same year would go crazy

[@schorman]

Ahh, so there are only 69 teams. Nice!

[@davidsorensen2116]

In all seriousness, this is a flaw in the plan. Who would you have replace ND in either conference? UConn? Marshall? App State?

[@jacquelinewood1]

@@davidsorensen2116 put Virginia Tech in the Big East and add UCF to the ACC to replace VT

[@gumbyshrimp2606]

You can tell he didn’t put much thought into this video

[@clifftaylor3295]

@@gumbyshrimp2606lol

[@Max-Tobin]

I seriously think this might be the most underrated channel on youtube. Keep it up Mike, I'll comment again when you hit 1 million.

[@baylor06]

I miss the big 12 so much. Playing Texas OU, and aggy every year makes way more sense than Arizona State and Utah.

[@Physics_Dude]

Big 12? What about the old SWC? That was a great conference. Every team was from Texas except one outsider. And it's not "aggy" it's "Aggies."

[@baylor06]

@ nah it’s aggy and the SWC members would rather play OU, Nebraska, OSU, Kstate, etc, over schools like Rice and Houston.

[@Physics_Dude]

@@baylor06 - I guess they don't educate you much at Baylor. Maybe because they use the Bible, a book of myths, rape, genocide, murder, and killing babies.

[@marvelguy8101]

OLD SCHOOL, FABULOUS journalism. Wow. Truly fantastic work.

[@SK-mw8vd]

Such a good idea for the college landscape, which means it will never happen. Humanity will fail at every chance you give it to turn down more money. Fuck, now I'm sad. Great video broski.

[@Redmenace96]

Great comment!!! Couldn't have said it better, dude. People look at me like a retarded child when I choose less money and more happiness. It goes back to the pharoes.....

[@Livefreeordont]

There was the CFA which negotiated media deals for like 70 something teams. Then Notre Dame signed an exclusive deal with NBC and away we go

[@Jimbo55151]

Notre Dame signging an exclusive deal and Texas getting its own channel were the first dominoes to drop

[@jakerbreaker94]

Blame the Big Ten, ND tried to join the B1G multiple times back in the day but was blocked each time. So ND decided to be independent and has stayed that way ever since. Not their fault, they tried to join one, but they were denied 🤷‍♂️

[@mikebronicki8264]

Yost at Michigan blocked the first request to join. So I blame the Wolverines for this whole mess.

[@randomnerd2332]

You're ignoring NCAA V. Board of Regents of Oklahoma. The thing that made all this happen

[@dehonore]

That was the biggest turning point!

[@willdroke9119]

I went to WSU, my wife and I met there. We are having a baby girl in February who will grow up rooting for the Cougs. It makes me immensely sad she will not get to experience the rivalry with friends and family who went to other regional schools. Thank you for making this video.

[@troyfoster6004]

Went to OSU. I feel your pain. I also feel a new bond. If more people like Michael shed light on this fiasco, maybe the system can eventually correct itself.

[@M98747]

I HATE Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA, Maryland, and Rutgers being in the Big Ten. We're a Midwest conference, and they've totally destroyed it.

[@hankwoods2448]

they didnt destroy it. all of this is the sec's fault

[@CollinMiller-sq6tx]

As a Husker fan I despise Nebraska for joining the big ten. I find that I barely care when playing Purdue Illinois or Minnesota. Wish we could go back to playing Colorado and Missouri every year 😔

[@TheHollomap]

We did? You lured our teams over to you. You flashed money we took it. I don't think anyone is truly happy with it. But you really blaming us?

[@johndef5075]

​@CollinMiller-sq6tx as a big10 fan I miss the old Oklahoma-Nebraska games. Next to OSU- Michigan that seemed the biggest rivalry when I was young.

[@mikebronicki8264]

Face it. CFB was better 30 years ago.

[@TuscanSota]

Subscribed. Really glad that there’s another Seattleite like me who sees the long term impact on what’s going on in CFB. I just wish more people spoke up about this.

[@ChosenPlaysYT]

As a Nebraska fan, I agree with you 100%. They are skinning the sheep instead of sheering it. The very essence of what made college football an amazing product that was a cash cow, will slowly dwindle from them milking it to death.

[@nicvolcano]

This is the first video I've seen from you, and I am HOOKED. Great writing, amazing production, and every point rings extremely true. Bravo.

[@CadeRathbone]

Every video you make has the gravitational pull of a movie. As always - amazing stuff Michael!!

[@Mirror_of_the_Soul00]

Spectacular video, as always. There was a time when I loved college football more than the NFL. (Interestingly, there was NEVER a time I liked NCAAM more than the NBA). I REALLY despise this realignment of conferences in college sports

[@AH-dd4wj]

Not even in March ?

[@Mirror_of_the_Soul00]

@@AH-dd4wj I just never cared for College Basketball. I know why though. I am from Florida and we never had teams that were consistently good. FSU had a couple of good years with Leonard Hamilton as the coach before he went to the NBA. The ONLY time I ever paid attention to NCAAM was when the Gators went back to back. And then after that, there was one and done - so why pay attention to college ball when players are not staying. But with college football for a good 15 years Florida teams were dominating while the Dolphins were good but no Super Bowl threat.

[@mikebronicki8264]

I haven't watched an NFL game in decades. Like baseball, the money is a huge turn off. Now the cancer has come to college football. I guess I need to go bowling. :(

[@wesleyamancio3686]

@@mikebronicki8264 I don't know how the American public can find frozen leagues attractive, when will we see a TripleA/AHL/UFL team being promoted to the main league and, with one of the smallest budgets, being champion, like Leicester?

[@calvinhobbes6118]

NBA is trash. Has been for almost a decade.

[@ptkush3416]

Mike, you've added to your collection of great videos with your best video. This channel is my favorite YT find of 2024 because you always give an insight into something in sports that I hadn't considered or fully thought through. Keep up the great work!

[@cestusfr]

Thank you, it needed to be said! From a PAC12 fan from France.

[@luca579]

as a brazilian is really interesting to see you talk about college football because i never understood the appeal for it, but now i can see that is basically our south american football, we don't have the best players, they are in europe but we have probably the most enganging and passionate fanbase of all sports in world (so passionate that unfortunately is not uncommon for people to die on brawls of oposing teams suporters), for most its a mean of gathering with family and friends, the main difference is that the teams only focus is in football (soccer) because they are non profit (for the most part) and dont have other interests such as education, i would recomend learning a bit of the stories of racing club de avellaneda, cruzeiro esporte clube (my team) and vasco da gama, those three were suposed to go bankrupt but mainly because of their suporters they're playing in the first division of the countries (cruzeiro and racing were in the finals of sulamericana last weekend and i traveled 2500km or 1500 miles to see that game and was one of the best experiences of my life)

[@craigstephenson7676]

The college aspect of college football adds to the fandom cause people meet friends at college and then they become college fans together.

[@Logholders]

College football is just an excuse to party with your friends. Nothing more. Most college fans don’t even actually care about the game… it’s about the experience and being drunk.

[@gwilson314]

Sports aren't entertaining because they showcase the best players but because they represent YOU and your city/state/region against THEM and their city/state/region. It's a proxy for battle.

[@rohan4526]

Michael - I love three things: sports, statistics, and business. The fact that you hit all three incredibly is so satisfying. Keep it up, you’re amazing

[@mrvroom188]

This channel is so underrated, the quality is insane

[@brysoncummings169]

This was absolutely amazing content. Well done Michael!

[@fernandoteitelbaum]

Your channel is excellent. I think the point is that college football captures the PASSION in a way other sports around the world capture as well, but the franchise model of american sports is unable/uninterested in reproducing. I'm Brazilian and i will always cheer for my hometown club (and hate the other club of my hometown, our rivals) regardless of "quality of players". Sometimes we're great and it feels good. Sometimes we're not and it sucks. But the passion is always there. And my hometown club doesn't have an owner, have 110+ years of history and it's not going anywhere. This feels awesome

[@fernandoteitelbaum]

"Fandom can't be bought" is a spectacular way to present it. Great line! :)

[@curlinray2666]

Michael, I've been subbed to you since you had 25k subscribers, and your sustained progression/quality in the sports youtube space continues to amaze me. Great work again!

[@Skeletors_Closet]

16:21 who got the chills during that part?

[@joshuabeine7520]

Me brother

[@JustinStoneMusic]

This video made me sub

[@TheMissiIe]

Hey michael. I know you don't do player specific videos, but I'd love to see a full breakdown of how monstrous Dyson Daniels has been on defence this season. The kid is on pace to DOUBLE the all time season deflections record, and is on pace to have the most steals in a season since 1987-88 Jordan

[@ckq]

He's pretty overrated. The hawks suck on defense. He sucks on offense. 3rd best player on a 34 win team doesn't deserve praise

[@TheMissiIe]

@ckq he's the Trey Hendrickson of the NBA. Easily a DPOY candidate on a horrible defence. His offence is decent, and he's drastically improved his offence with career high averages across the board. Just admit you don't watch Hawks games.. or you're a Celtics fan and just mad he had 28 points and 6 steals against those bums

[@kdog2646]

​@@TheMissiIeexcept I agree with him, and I acknowledge my team is 💩. Go sixers 😭

[@PhantomSparty]

As always, masterfully done, Michael. This echos feelings and conversations I have been having. The only thing I would add is the connection to players as part of the community. My connection to Kenneth Walker will never be the same as the one to Le'Veon Bell which will never be the same as mine to Javon Ringer. With the transfer portal and NIL destroying the illusion that the players have the same connection to the community as the fans. No longer can I watch an 18 year old blossom into a star over 3-5 years with the confidence that he will always remain a Spartan. I expect the star to leave for more money to play at Oregon after he's developed in-state. The same can be said for MAC and FCS schools becoming feeder programs like European Football. As you said, we're turning into our parents as we lecture our children on tradition.

[@PlaySA]

It's a tough issue, to be honest. Because why SHOULDN'T an independent human not be able to go to a different school and play for a different team? Denying that is, in a sense, denying human rights. But it also irrevocably changes college football, just like NIL which is another thing that probably had to happen. Things will change over time, there's no going back now that these genies are out of the bottle. Hopefully the system will endure.

[@maxmeyers5630]

lol "denying human rights"

[@Redmenace96]

Great comment! You are a real fan.

[@troyfoster6004]

Oregon State fan here. I feel your pain. I hope you feel mine.

[@anthonyramirez6264]

This is easily one of the best KZbin videos I’ve ever watched. Arizona moved on to the Big 12, but those PAC 10/12 days are always the fondest memories I’ll have. It hurts enough being an Arizona fan, but it hurts even more when you come closer to being left out of the fold every passing day. TV Networks and realignment suck, but I’m glad we landed in the Big 12. Awesome fan bases, great rivalries, and plenty of parity. Always loved hosting WAZZU when they came to town. Had the opportunity to get shit faced some with folks from Pullman couple of years ago and it was a great time.

[@AnonToast]

As a Wisconsin fan, the conference realignment has been absolutely gutting to watch. Even beyond the broader implications for other divisions who were lost out on anchor teams, the division has gotten watered down and really lost its identity I believe. If it's just a cynical "Let the best teams play to make the most money" mentality, what does that mean for any semblance of history or culture that really drives the narratives and, by extension, the fan bases forward? Michigan and Ohio have deep state rivalries that play out far more in college sports than anywhere else, there will never be that level of passion between any longstanding program and the transplants. Even if superficial, the Rust Belt identity that pervaded the Big 10 was a huge touchstone for folks that made all of the contests feel far more impactful while creating almost knee-jerk reactions to hearing the name of any other team in the conference. When I hear UW vs. U of M, I think of the most played rivalry game in college football, when I hear UW vs UCLA, I feel nothing at all. I never thought a divisional game would feel about as personally meaningful as playing an FCS school. Great video as always, truly tremendous work on every level!

[@jasonfalck9038]

I couldn't agree with you more! UCLA vs WI sounds like Rose Bowl 1991, not a conference game. U of M vs Oregon in September - important, but emotionally nothing. It's sucked the life out of rivalry games that used to have some emotional ties, now it's just parody with a pinch of cynicism. I watch very casually, but have lost interest in NCAA football, especially since NFL gives us Sunday, Monday, and now Thursday. The NCAA better figure this out, or the next generation of fan base will not have the loyal ticket holders they have had in the past, especially for smaller market teams that aren't raking in TV money. ON WISCONSIN! (for however long we last)

[@jamespyle777]

Same, it's like I look at Wisconsin's basketball schedule and 2010 me still sees 13 conference games instead of 20.

[@charliedallachie3539]

“Let the best teams play” will get boring fast.

[@voiceofreason2674]

It's refreshing to hear that. Wisconsin is one of the strongest brands of the big ten and hearing somebody from there express dissatisfaction is way better than the pathetic fox vs ESPN drone babble you hear. Im a fan of an SEC team and I think our additions have been regrettable as well. I am not seeing any of this additional money. I want to know that no matter how the season goes well take Mississippi State to the woodshed every September

[@CertifiedClapaholic]

​@voiceofreason2674 blame your SEC bagmen for this. Yall wanted to cheat and pay for all the best recruits and now that NIL programs are in place making all that activity legal, we'll REALLY see who is better at football. And conference realignment, again, blame the greedy SEC when they tried to take in Texas and Oklahoma. Money talks. This is America. Money drives everything, whether you like it or not.

[@parkerrogers2294]

Really incredible quality of video and great analysis of the potential consequences of what’s happening in the CFB world. I go to Oregon State, so I really appreciated how you covered PNW schools! I hope the bigger conferences and leaders decide to do what’s best for CFB, because it is hard to feel invested in it with what has happened. Great video!

[@HomemadeSubmarine]

Better work than any ESPN segment & it’s not close. Hopefully this resonates with the right people so we can reverse the direction of one of the most quintessentially American sport phenomenons

[@Redmenace96]

ESPN wouldn't touch 80% of this video's ideas with a 10 ft barge pole.They have a piece of the pie, and it is sad. Your second thought, "resonate with the right people" is also sad. The Great Powers don't even know the fan exists. Beyond a consumer and a tick on the ratings chart. No reverse. It is only going in one direction, brother.

[@marklittle8805]

As a Canadian, our University sports draw maybe 20000 for our national championship in Football. The Canadian game isn't as big, and yet is as old. There was something special about College Football in the US but they are wrecking it. I am a U of Michigan fan, but I see what they are doing with the super conferences and paying guys and this is just stupid . They are making a pro game with all the WRONG aspects of it

[@benhuber24]

It is awesome to see youtubers doing something the media won’t, acknowledging Wazzu and Oregon State. I have been a fan of Wazzu since I could walk and I hope to attend it in two years. Hopefully by then, we will get our conference back and kick some Husky ass.

[@SpencerOnYT]

As a huge Pac-12 fan this video was awesome

[@Physics_Dude]

I miss the old Pac 8.

[@nmelkhunter1]

This is very well done. Another way of looking at it is, and I use a football metaphor, if can’t execute your basic block and tackling, you’re in trouble. Greed is ruling and will probably ruin the sport.

[@arizonawildcat3821]

This a great video and a point I have been trying to explain to people since all of this went down. College football fandom is not a guarantee. One of the reasons college football is so big, and why so many people watch the college football playoff is because all these teams around the country are involved. Cutting teams out, is turning customers away. If i feel like my team has absolutely no chance of making it to a playoff, or having any impact in a season, I am going to stop watching. These corporate suits think that if you guy G5 or the B12 teams out, all those fans will just watch SEC and B10 football. They're wrong, and they are making dangerous decisions to take away the tradition of college football, which is the only thing setting it apart from the NFL.

[@GabeMorath]

Also a note as an Oregon state fan bc of realignment and the NIL stuff I used to be huge cfb fan love the tradition and regional matchups and whatnot. But this year I’ve definitely watched the least cfb as I have in my lifetime

[@gwilson314]

Agreed, but I think the fan bases are what will save the sport. Teams in the SEC and Big10 don't necessarily like the new landscape either (even if their teams benefit from more $$$) because a hypercompetitive conference makes their teams more vulnerable to poor seasons. See Oklahoma this year or Auburn recently.

[@hconaway3476]

one of the best captures of the feelings behind college football I've seen on youtube. good stuff.

[@airlinepilot87]

I like your FBS working theory! It’s similar to the English Football Pyramid, where local clubs compete with hopes of reaching the Premier League. College football could adopt this idea to give smaller programs a chance to rise and keep fans invested. Great video!

[@Multifidi20]

My question is: Should the big Tier 1 teams abandon the academic responsibilities? It just seems weird that that have to go to school while playing for this big money-making machine. If you want a STEM degree and want to play for Georgia Bulldogs at the same time, well, that is going to be very tough. Let the kids play and then later on they can come back and put their "nose to the grindstone" and get that tough degree.

[@BulletRain100]

It's not really similar to the English Pyramid at all because there would be no Premier League to reach. The Premier League would just be one of many leagues and the focus of the season would be a tournament where the best teams and conference champions compete. The only advantage of being in a top league is that they get more people in the final tournament where the lower leagues only get their conference champions.

[@calvinbaII]

My thoughts about a proto pro-rel system with these big mega conferences is just to have tier 1 & tier 2 schedules/divisions within the same conference. For example, in the B1G the tier 1 would be the top 8 football teams, and tier 2 the bottom 8. Both tiers play exclusively against each other (7 games) and also have 2 extra conference games available to cover rivalry games if the schools are split that season (i.e., U of M vs Mich St). Then you still have 3 extra OOC games available (including a cupcake FCS game if you want). Only tier 1 teams are eligible for that years expanded CFB playoffs so you might have the top 3-4 make it, and the remaining teams are trying to avoid finishing 7th & 8th (relegation to tier 2 the next season). The top 2 performing teams in tier 2 get 'promoted' for the next season. The TV ghouls get their importing big divisional matchups to fill their slate each week while there still is a meritocracy on the field to be upheld due to the risk/reward of pro-rel year over year. Also, if a program like say, Maryland or Michigan St (who sucks kinda recently) want to rebuild the best way is to stop getting smoked every year affecting recruiting and instead go 10-2 in a tier 2 schedule helping them rebuild fast and boost recruiting.

[@gwilson314]

We already have a functioning hierarchy in college football which still allows lesser programs to grow and better ones to decline, the problem is that the regional function of the sport (which produced rivalries and interest) is being replaced by power players consolidating control by using a few big brand name conferences to eat the others.

[@skyee7512]

Absolutely insane to have so few views on such a high quality video! This is fantastic!

[@emmettshaw967]

The goat drops again

[@Jake_Kling]

this was incredible. Not just the writing but the animation and the constellation metaphor. Visual masterpiece

[@anotheraggieburneraccount]

I am a Texas A&M Aggie, and I just went to my last home game as a student. We lost to our biggest rival, Texas University, 17-7, and my longhorn friends and Dad called me immediately to talk shit. I've suffered watching this team, and I've had great times watching them, and my attachment to Texas A&M is so much more than just picking a team and rooting for them; I love my school and my school is *forever* part of my identity, through thick and thin. Thats what makes college football special; attending a schopl gives you a stronger attachment to a team than any NFL fan, even when that team sucks. I wish we still had the SWC or old Big 12. I want to play games against my Baylor friends, Texas Tech friends, TCU friends, Houston and Rice friends, and instead I get to watch us play Florida 3 times in 5 years.

[@FuckinSpyro]

Word. I understand the pain. Being an Aggie fan can be so miserable at times, but the few games where it all comes together make for some amazing sport moments. My dad and I were at Kyle to see us upset Bama when Jimbo was still the coach, and that was probably one of the best moments I have ever had. All we could do when we saw that field goal go through the uprights was to hug each other. It is a moment I will never forget, and I just do not think I could ever have that experience with the Cowboys, Texans, Spurs, etc. There just really isn't any emotional attachment. College sports seems to invoke that feeling a lot more than their professional counterparts.

[@georgealexander1059]

The stay at the end comparing top 25 to below 25 is one of the most impactful in the video. People show out and watch. They are the people that keep the sport so competitive. There is no better week of football than rivalry week, which I think encompasses all that makes college football so special

[@whaddup5417]

You and Jon Bois should do a collab and break the sports nerds faction of the internet

[@blooper1098]

This was so good. I subscribed right after seeing "is pat mac funny?" in the mirror scene

[@blakeharrison3972]

CFB is just forming into the NFL

[@anythingthoughanythingthou2453]

Roll Tide. College football has lost its soul.

[@johnmiller1117]

I can’t believe I’m just finding this channel. Amazing production, outstanding research, this is the kind of viewing experience I wish television sports networks would adopt.

[@solomonpilbrow8488]

TL;DW, College football is special because it works the way almost every professional team sport outside the US does :) Great video as always!

[@mitchellsteindler]

Challange: a person outside of the US doesnt make fun of the US because they realize their European situation is not remotely comparable to our US situation.

[@Mirror_of_the_Soul00]

@solomonpilbrow8488 SPE3D UP the video. It is your friend. I NEVER go below 1.5x speed. Music is the only thing I do not speed up

[@macleodmacauleygriffiths1771]

@@mitchellsteindler it is okay to acknowledge that sometimes things in America are not perfect. There are downsides to the European model of professional sports teams that America mitigates as well.

[@solomonpilbrow8488]

@@mitchellsteindler Not making fun of the US at all, sorry! I actually think there are admirable qualities and advantages to your usual system. It was just funny seeing our usual way of doing things presented as this unique, mysterious quality in the 'constellation of sports' :) It's less a 'European' thing, so much as a 'most places outside the US' thing

[@kdog2646]

​@@solomonpilbrow8488how is it the European way of doing things?

[@Spoonjamin]

This is the best explanation video I've seen on the current situation and state of the game. Incredible work

[@kendawg1998]

Prob one of the best YT sports vids I’ve ever watched

[@paulbuono5088]

This was so perfect...i really appreciate your time and effort!

[@TheBML2]

As a long time, Texas Tech red raider fan. It saddens me to see that the rivalries we have with A&M and UT are just considered nothing now because all they want is big names, big money and no more regionality because it doesn’t draw in 2 million viewers every time. In the way, I’ve always seen college football is popular too is mainly because if it’s region, such as Texas Tech iand TUT is a big city area lots of Footy to rich people that live around there and go to that university tech has always been kind of a working man’s college a lot of farmers and ranchers who go there so you have a neat dichotomy of two sides that live in the state same applies A&M

[@poisonpill2749]

"A staggering, sporadic lurch through a minefield of petty feuds, unpredictability and tradition." Beautiful, man. Absolutely beautiful. You had Notre Dame on there twice, in two conferences. With NIL now, and being in the ACC, SMU should replace one of the NDs. But I do understand opting for Boise State instead of UCF (even though one is Power 4 and the other isn't). As always, very well done.

[@therealfanmaster]

I feel you’re onto something, but we need to keep the G5 schools like Central Michigan, UMass, James Madison, and Fresno State in mind. They need to think they can achieve ultimate glory, even if it is a pipe dream. If you are in FBS, you should be able to walk the same path as Alabama, Ohio State, USC, and Oklahoma if you’re good enough. Even as a fan of a blue blood team (Michigan, Go Blue.) there need to be no barriers to prevent small schools from getting put on these stages.Also, if the FCS could handle a playoff, why can’t the FBS?

[@cory8080]

I’m kind of torn on this. I played at a program that’s now in the BIG 12 and we control our destiny to make the playoff this year, but my cousin also played at your favorite program the last few years. I’ve seen what a legit national title level team looks like because of that. I can easily say that my alma mater doesn’t have a legit shot at winning anything. However, it’s still exciting BUT it was always exciting and that’s my biggest gripe. When I was at ASU, it was about trying to make a BCS bowl, specifically a rose bowl in years we felt we had the talent. Winning the national title wasn’t a priority. I watched the game I love turn more into the NFL. To the casual fan, no national title means you did nothing that year. I watched bowl games get stripped away of their meaning and now nothing but making the playoff matters.

[@tjedwards1870]

@@cory8080 Sadly this is what has been lost in college football. A national title is that cherry on top of a truly magical season. I'm an Oklahoma fan, I feel nothing for the SEC. We have 7 national titles...since 1895. Those were amazing years with great players and great coaches. We have 50 conference championships between the Big 8/12 and Southwest Conference. It'll sound weird to a newer college football fan but those 50 mean so much more to me than those 7. To get those we beat Texas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Nebraska and so on. Winning a national title is great but I'd trade all 7 if it meant we could beat Texas for 50 straight years.

[@IamAnonX]

One of the best documentary that I’ve ever seen! Well done. I’m a fan of your work as of right now!

[@DarthSoto78]

16:55 I think in the next 10 years we will have two 25-30 team super leagues (SEC, Big Ten) that will play each other in the play offs. Similar to the NFC, and AFC in the NFL.

[@danc9628]

This is one of the best videos I have ever watched on youtube. Concise, well edited, well written. I really like your potential idea for college football format as well. It is sad what is happening with CFB I hope that this video will reach decision makers across the country.

[@edge_1998]

This should be mandatory viewing for university presidents. The argument is so well articulated, it's impossible to disagree with.

[@philipj.sherman2987]

Michael makes some excellent points! We NEED multiple conferences.

[@Blizznor]

Notre Dame is going to be busy, you put them in the theoretical Big Ten and Big East.

[@TLOWNSU]

I grew up a Kansas fan living about 30 minutes away from Columbia MO (Dad went to KU). I always hated seeing MIZZOU beat KU whether it was football or basketball because i would never hear the end of it. That was a serious rivalry for me growing up, but after they left for the SEC there really isn't that rivalry anymore. Only thing close now is K-State, but i didn't grow up with any K-State fans around so it's not the same.

[@TheAmazingRando-z6t]

12:00 Socialism for the rich, capitalism for everyone else

[@BrianSnyderND]

I like how you have Notre Dame in both the Big Ten and Big East. From Independence to double conferenced!

[@Sirwilliamf]

So. Right. The quirky regionalism of the college game is what makes it great. But, at this point, I fear the worst.

[@mikesmith2424]

Your video production and research are as high quality as ever. Keep up the great work!

[@MSWSB]

Who sells the most hamburgers around the world? When is the last time you sought one of those out because of its quality, or just ate one out of convenience, drunkenness, or to appease a kid who wants to play on the slide? If you don’t understand this, the Tyson / Paul boondoggle comparison should do the trick. Aged Greatest fighter of all time “VS” KZbin jackass, and the KZbin jackass “won”. Quality doesn’t win in our time. Quantity controls mass media, but it still doesn’t control individual minds, unless those individuals sell themselves to the hive.

[@spencerkunz796]

Everything you put out is such high quality-another terrific piece

[@jekufo]

I was literally just wondering where is my goat MacKelvie

[@joeykent7526]

Why was this so good? All the chairmen and managers of every conference need to watch this!!

[@hunterwagner4130]

No way he came to Pullman😭😭 I went to Wazzu and live in Moscow 10 minutes away still near U of I

[@DruiceBox]

Fr I just graduated from wsu this spring. Crazy

[@mm_conti]

As a Brazilian that has been primarily a football (soccer) fan for the best part of 29 years now, it really amazes me how in considering why people would like college football the first argument analyzes "the product". Down here football has always been a community-building activity, something you do to feel part of something bigger or even something that's part of your identity as a person, most of the time from a young age. For me, going to the stadium or watching a game of my soccer team has always been about being around my dad, cousins and friends.

[@anythingthoughanythingthou2453]

That’s what college football is for Americans. When I was born I was put into the colors of my family’s favorite college football team. The pics of my from my childhood I’m wearing the colors. Its community and a place of belonging, win or lose.

[@mma171]

You didn't touch on one other issue. Having more local players on a team. When I was growing up, almost the entire team went to a high school within reasonable driving distance to that college. This gave you more pride for your team because it was like an extended family. This is one of the main reasons I watch NCAA and not NFL.

[@franklinbruce7121]

I agree 💯%

[@JustusSeiber]

Finally another upload. Your videos are better than any big time production tv show I have ever watched. Thanks for your work

[@MarioMeesb]

2:17 what they are chanting?

[@MarioMeesb]

Back Home

[@adrianfisk]

What’s the fanfare that comes after? It’s beautiful

[@bradleysayre4448]

@@adrianfiskTennessee and then Clemson

[@DruiceBox]

GO COUGSSS

[@detroitboy52289]

I feel smarter every time i come to this channel. Thank you

[@aidancoleman7274]

Husky fan here, I respect your choice not to wear an Oregon jersey. You made the right choice 💪

[@keatonream4556]

Thanks for highlighting our situation at wazzu, the school and program means so much to us. Go cougs!!

[@emmettshaw967]

ND is in both the big 10 and big east at 22:50

[@entrepreneurshipcountry5835]

Brilliant storytelling, about to binge all of your stuff. Well done!

[@kdog2646]

Yo, one thing. For tradition, you show Texas. Texas A&M would be the better fit. Afterall, they are called a cult for their tradition

[@ssv7033]

Not a football fan, as I started with your channel as a result of your NBA content. However, the quality of your uploads, demands that I watch whatever you present. Great work mate. Keep up the good work. Greetings from sunny South Africa